Statement on Release of DHS IG Report on Immigration Detention System

December 2, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General’s report on detainee transfer policies and procedures at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General’s report reinforces many of my concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) treatment of immigration detainees. It’s clear from the report that ICE continues to arbitrarily transfer detainees without any clear rationale. These transfers contribute to a system that denies detainees due process and access to self secured counsel, while at the same time costing taxpayers untold millions by needlessly slowing the adjudication and removal process. I’m hopeful that ICE’s new leadership will embrace report’s recommendations and make appropriate improvements in the process and procedures.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her eighth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She is the Chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. She also serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.